2015 ford explorer Model Overview

New for 2015

The 2015 Ford Explorer gains a new XLT appearance package, three new exterior colors, and standard 18-inch wheels on base models.

Vehicle Summary

The 2015 Ford Explorer is a midsize crossover with a seating capacity of up to seven. It is sold with three engine options, four trims levels, and in front- or all-wheel drive. All crossovers are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission regardless of engine and drivetrain combination.

Overview

Most Explorers will come with a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is respectable with the EPA rating V-6 front-drive models at 17/24 mpg city/highway and 17/23 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Those looking for the best fuel economy should consider the EcoBoost I-4 variant, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 making has 240 hp and 270 lb-ft. However, it requires premium fuel to achieve full performance (regular gas is acceptable) and is only available with front-wheel drive. EPA fuel economy ratings are slightly better than the V-6 front-drive model at 20/28 mpg.

Buyers looking for the most potent Explorer should consider the Sport, which has a twin turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the other variants, the Explorer Sport is tuned with performance in mind but not at the cost of ride quality. Fuel economy remains reasonable at 16/22 mpg even with the extra power and standard all-wheel drive.

The 2015 Explorer has a suspension setup tuned for comfort, making it “quiet and cushy in traffic.” It remains a competent-handling vehicle with less body roll than some of its rivals, but its steering doesn’t offer much feedback to the driver. Torque steer is a major issue even in all-wheel-drive models during hard acceleration.

Available features such as a MyFord Touch, navigation, adaptive cruise control, Sony audio system, and active park assist put the 2015 Explorer on par with many luxury-level crossovers in terms of technology. However, the interface for infotainment system is fussy to use with unintuitive controls. Interior space is small for the class. The second and third row seats are cramped, and the seats are unsupportive with little in terms of comfort.

UPDATE: Available safety aids include lane keeping assist, blind spot warning with cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic braking.The NHTSA gave the 2015 Ford Explorer a five-star overall safety rating (out of a possible five stars). In IIHS evaluations, the car received a Good score in four categories and Marginal in the small overlap front crash test (Good is the highest possible score).

What We Think

While the 2015 Ford Explorer is a viable choice among crossovers with the capacity for up to seven passengers, it lags behind its competition due to its small cabin and emphasis on cutting-edge technology over usability. MyFord Touch is a weak point due to its unintuitive and unresponsive controls. In a 2011 Comparison with five other seven row crossovers, the Explorer placed last due to its fussy infotainment system, prevalent torque steer, and lack of space inside the cabin. Explorers powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 disappoint due to the engine’s inability to move the large crossover without struggling. Additionally, we noted in a 2012 First Test that this engine didn’t achieve its stated EPA estimates and didn’t understand why it was priced more than models with the naturally aspirated V-6.

You’ll Like

Comfortable ride

Powerful twin-turbo V-6 in Sport variants

Has a lot of available safety features

You Won’t Like

Unintuitive infotainment controls

Disappointing fuel economy and performance in EcoBoost model

Cramped second and third rows

Key Competitors

Toyota Highlander

Nissan Pathfinder

GMC Acadia

Hyundai Santa Fe

Kia Sorento

Rating

2015 Ford Explorer Pricing

Fair Market Price - New Carwhat is this?

$31,110

New Car is the price a consumer can reasonably expect to pay for a new vehicle at a dealership at the end of negotiations, and includes destination charges, taxes and fees. The actual transaction price will be dependent on innumerable variables, from the dealer's inventory to the buyer's bargaining skills, so this figure is an approximation.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$30,700

Estimated Monthly Payment to Own New

$560 /month

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$25,800

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

2015 Ford Explorer Pricing

Fair Market Price

what does this mean?

$31,110

New Car is the price a consumer can reasonably expect to pay for a new vehicle at a dealership at the end of negotiations, and includes destination charges, taxes and fees. The actual transaction price will be dependent on innumerable variables, from the dealer's inventory to the buyer's bargaining skills, so this figure is an approximation.

Telematics

Trip Computer

Includes Average Fuel Economy, Current Fuel Economy and Range For Remaining Fuel

Std

Std

Trunk/Hatch Release, Remote

Std

Std

Ventilation System

Std

Std

Voice Activating System, Sync, with Radio Settings, Phone

CONTAINED IN: [53M] Sync

Grp

Grp

Cup Holders, Front, Rear and 3rd Row

Std

Std

Drive: Front-Wheel Drive

Std

Std

Auxiliary Oil Cooler

CONTAINED IN: [52T] Trailer Tow Package - Class III

Pkg

Pkg

Axle Ratio, 3.360

CONTAINED IN: [999] Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter EcoBoost

Grp

Grp

Axle Ratio, 3.390

Std

Std

Compass

CONTAINED IN: [53M] Sync

Grp

Grp

Engine Block Heater (Fleet) - 41H

$79

$90

Fuel Tank, 18.6 Gallon

Std

Std

Tachometer

Std

Std

Traction Control, Electronic

Std

Std

Door Handles (Exterior), Black

Std

Std

License Plate Bracket - 153

N/C

N/C

Mud Flaps

CONTAINED IN: [50M] Splash Guards (Dealer)

Grp

Grp

Privacy Glass

Std

Std

Rear Bumper Protector (Dealer) - 60V

$66

$75

Roof Rack Crossbars (Dealer) - 50N

$122

$140

Roof Rails

Std

Std

Splash Guards (Dealer) - 50M

INCLUDES: Mud Flaps

$179

$205

Spoiler, Roof

Std

Std

Wheel Opening Molding

Std

Std

Windows, 3rd Row

Std

Std

Windows, Rear Side

Std

Std

Bumpers, Front and Rear Body-Colored

Std

Std

Doors, Front-Hinged Front and Rear

Std

Std

Console

Std

Std

Floor Covering, Carpet In Passenger And Load Area

Std

Std

Floor Mats, Carpet

Std

Std

Light, Cargo Area

Std

Std

Luxury Trim, Alloy Look On Console; Doors And Instrument Panel

Std

Std

Rear Cargo Well Protector (Dealer) - 85W

$87

$100

Smokers Kit with Element (Dealer) - 60X

INCLUDES: Ashtray; Cigar Lighter

$79

$90

Steering Wheel: Tilt telescoping steering wheel

Std

Std

Vanity Mirror: Driver and passenger vanity mirror

Std

Std

Armrest, Front Seat Center

Std

Std

Ashtray

CONTAINED IN: [60X] Smokers Kit with Element (Dealer)

Grp

Grp

Cargo Shade (Dealer) - 60T

$114

$130

All-Weather Floor Mats - 16N

$66

$75

Cigar Lighter

CONTAINED IN: [60X] Smokers Kit with Element (Dealer)

Grp

Grp

LED Lights

Std

Std

Reading Lights, Front and Rear

Std

Std

Emission Equipment, 6.5

CONTAINED IN: [999] Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter EcoBoost

Grp

Grp

Black driver and passenger power door mirrors

Std

Std

Rear View Mirror

Std

Std

Engine Immobilizer

Std

Std

Paint, Metallic

Std

Std

Red Ruby Metallic Tinted Clearcoat - PRR

$345

$395

Standard Paint Type (Gloss) - J005

N/C

N/C

Standard Paint Type (Metallic) - J003

N/C

N/C

Passenger Assist Handles

Std

Std

Reverse Sensing (Fleet) - 76R

$240

$275

Roll Stability Control

Std

Std

Seatbelts, Front

Std

Std

Seatbelts, Rear

Std

Std

Tire Kit

CONTAINED IN: [52T] Trailer Tow Package - Class III

Pkg

Pkg

Windshield Wipers, Automatic Intermittent

Std

Std

Windshield, Zone Tinted

Std

Std

Advancetrac With RSC

Std

Std

Airbag, Front

Std

Std

Airbag, Side

Std

Std

Airbag, Side Curtain

Std

Std

Airbags, 7

Std

Std

Airbags, Knee

Std

Std

Daytime Running Lamps (Fleet) - 942

$39

$45

Glass, Tinted

Std

Std

Head Restraints

Std

Std

Headlight Control, Dusk Sensor

Std

Std

Headlights, Halogen

Std

Std

Hill Holder

Std

Std

Isofix Preparation

Std

Std

Low Tire Pressure Indicator

Std

Std

Driver Seat, 6-Way Power Bucket; Passenger Seat, Bucket

Includes Power Reach, Power Height Adjustment and Power Tilt

Std

Std

Rear Seats, Split Bench Split Folding

Std

Std

Seat Upholstery, Cloth

Std

Std

Seat Upholstery, Medium Light Stone Cloth - 7L

N/C

N/C

Seating, 7

Std

Std

Seats, Third Row Buckets

Std

Std

Antenna, Roof

Std

Std

Audio System, AM/FM Radio, MP3/CD Player

Std

Std

Remote Audio Controls

Std

Std

Sirius Satellite Radio - 85B

$170

$195

Speakers, 6

Std

Std

Power Steering

Std

Std

Suspension, Front Strut/Rear Multi-Link w/ Coil Springs

Std

Std

Spare Tire, Limited Use w/Steel Rim

Std

Std

Tires, P245/60SR18 All Season BSW

Std

Std

Trailer Towing Prep

CONTAINED IN: [52T] Trailer Tow Package - Class III

Pkg

Pkg

Wheels, 18" Alloy with Wheelcovers

Rim Width: 7.5"

Std

Std

Wheels, Single Rear

Std

Std

Show Full Specs

Warranty

Warranty

Full Warranty Miles

36000

Maintenance Warranty Months

none

Full Warranty Months

36

Roadside Assistance Miles

60000

Powertrain Warranty Miles

60000

Roadside Assistance Months

60

Powertrain Warranty Months

60

Corrosion Warranty Miles

unlimited

Maintenance Warranty Miles

none

Corrosion Warranty Months

60

Recalls

Recalls

Recall ID#15V464000 - PARKING BRAKE

Consequence

If the parking brake does not fully engage and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while on a slope, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2015-07-24

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015, Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 21, 2015, and 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to May 23, 2015. The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the operation of the parking brake system, and if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C07.

Units Affected

7165

Recall ID#16V245000 - SUSPENSION:REAR

Consequence

A fracture of the rear suspension toe link may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2016-04-26

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may have improperly welded rear suspension toe links that may fracture.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on June 9, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S18.

2015 Ford Explorer News and Reviews

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